Townsville resident, Jody is a strong believer in trusting her intuition. And she should – it saved her life.
Following a workplace discussion with colleagues about the starting age for breast cancer screening, 48-year-old Jody couldn’t shake the feeling she needed to book an appointment.
“I was planning to start having mammograms when I turned 50. My colleagues at work started talking about it and said you can book in from 40. Following that conversation, I had a strong feeling that I needed to book a mammogram,” says Jody.
Jody scheduled a mammogram in February 2024 and in March, she received a call asking her to book another appointment.
“They told me over the phone that they could see a lesion on my right breast. But they told me that is not uncommon for a first mammogram. I went back in and they did a series of tests over six hours. They initially found one lesion but with each investigation, they kept finding more. In the end, they found six tumours in my right breast, with the biggest one being 6cm. I have no family history of breast cancer and I had been checking my breasts since my thirties and had never felt a lump. The tumours were flat though, which is why I wasn’t picking them up in my self-examinations,” says Jody.
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Always one to put a light-hearted spin on things, Jody laughs when asked what stage her cancer was detected at.
“The 6cm tumour meant my cancer was stage 2B with a side salad of 3A,” she laughs.
“The day I received my diagnosis was surreal and I was shocked. I shed a tear or two but quickly realised I could curl up in the fetal position and feel sorry for myself or I could stand up and fight the thing. At that point, I decided to tackle my cancer (journey) with humour. My cousin was with me when I received my diagnosis and she said to me, “this didn’t happen to you, it happened for you.” That’s why I’ve decided to share my journey along the way and openly discuss my cancer journey. I wanted to use the journey for good, so I could help others going through it.”
Jody’s treatment commenced in late April, with a bilateral mastectomy. Four weeks later, she commenced four rounds of chemotherapy at Icon Cancer Centre Townsville under the care of medical oncologist, Professor Sabe Sabesan.
“My first two rounds of chemo were pretty rough but overall, I had a good idea of what side effects to expect. I’m used to being independent and active, so I had to learn how to listen to my body. I noticed some hair loss around day 12 of chemo, so on day 13 I thought to myself, “I’m going to be the boss here, not the cancer,” so I took control of the situation and shaved my head,” says Jody.
Following the end of her chemotherapy in late July, Jody underwent three weeks of radiation therapy.
Jody, who has had a successful career in Human Resource (HR) roles, says she remained pragmatic when it came to her treatment options. And she is quick to praise the Icon Townsville team.
“I’m a percentages girl and when I was talking to Sabe, I asked him to put my treatment options into survival percentages. For me, every one percent counted and I was going to do everything in my power to beat the cancer and give myself the best shot to stop a recurrence,” says Jody.
“Sabe and the Icon Townsville team were brilliant. They treated me like a person, not just a number, which can happen in the healthcare system. I was able to have a chat and a laugh with the team and they were quick to respond if anything went wrong. I had a reaction during my first round of chemo and they were straight on it, which made me realise I was in safe hands.
It wasn’t just the support of the Icon team that got Jody through her cancer treatment.
“The support I’ve had from family, friends and colleagues since I was diagnosed has been tremendous. I live by myself and am very independent. But I knew I’d have to rely on the help of others to get through my treatment. Knowing that I had people around me for support was invaluable. I hadn’t been in hospital since I was seven years old, so it was all completely new to me. I always had someone with me when I went to chemo. I had a friend who arranged for my lawn to be mowed and another who arranged house cleaning for me. I don’t know how I will repay everyone for their support. It made the journey easier and it made me realise how generous and kind people can be,” says Jody.
Jody also relied on the support of her four-legged friend during treatment – her two-year-old golden spoodle, Baxter Basil.
“Basil Baxter was a lot cuddlier when I was going through treatment. And after I shaved my head, he liked to lick my shiny disco ball head each morning. Not having him would have made that time a lot harder. Dogs provide unconditional love and healing power, which is wonderful to be around,” says Jody.
With surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy now behind her, Jody plans to get back to doing the things she loves.
“I love travelling and I want to visit my friends overseas. I turn 50 in 2026 and I’m saving up to travel to the US to see a friend who has been supporting me a lot from afar. I like doing crafty things like stained glass and mosaics. I’m always tinkering in some type of craft activity. And I do some clairvoyance work as well, which helped during my cancer treatment. Knowing how to remain grounded and keep my mind busy has been important during this journey. I’m a spiritual person, so I truly believe the universe has my back. If I’d waited another two years to get my mammogram, it would have been a very different outcome for me. Listening to my intuition saved my life. I’m so glad I’m still here to see my nieces and nephews grow up and have Baxter Basil continue to drive me crazy,” says Jody with a laugh.
And she has some words of wisdom, with a side of humour, for others to take on board.
“Protect your pecks and get your checks. And examine your body, chart your health, for a life that’s vibrant and full of wealth.”
To learn more about breast cancer signs, symptoms and treatment options, visit https://iconcancercentre.com.au/treatment/breast-cancer/
Find out how to become a patient at Icon Cancer Centre, or request more information from your nearest centre.
Be informed, feel empowered. Our free guide will help you make decisions about your, or your loved ones, care.
Learn more about breast cancer in Australia, including signs and symptoms, stages and frequently asked questions.
There are many different treatment options for breast cancer. Find out more about common treatments for breast cancer here.